Graffiti House

by Bert Hermans · Gouda, NL

This painting was the result of Bert's visit to Lisbon in April 2018. He participated in a exhibition at Colorido Art Gallery with six works. In the surroundings of the gallery Bert discovered this beautiful graffiti house. Street art has long been a part of Lisbon's culture. Until the 18th century, there was a tradition of all-white buildings. After the earthquake of 1755, richer areas began to incorporate colour and tiles into walls and pavements. Early graffiti was perhaps the poor man's equivalent. Following the democratic revolution in 1974, this self-expression increased. Now, tags and scribbles cover the streets. After a long period of cleanups, Lisbon City Council finally decided to acknowledge graffiti and urban art as a legitimate form of creative expression and facilitate, support and institutionalize it.